DIY: How-To disable the seatbelt chime.

[campertom]

At the risk of re-igniting the fury of the naysayers on this mod, I thought I should share a story of a personal change of heart:

I have been planning to do this modification. The first time the alarm went off with grocery bags on the seat was very annoying - especially not knowing what all the beeping was caused by. For my wife and I, putting on seat belts is 100% automatic. We never go without seat belts, and it was only after many trips that I had even heard this alarm (due the the groceries). I pulled over, couldn't find any warning lights (the seatbelt light is hidden next to the passenger temp control). I started to get out the manual and it stopped. It wasn't until the next time it happened that I clued in to the cause.

I was a big fan of this mod until this morning. I don't normally have any kids in the front, but had a car full today and figured it was safe with the airbag sensor (I verified that it was off when my son sat in the seat). I made the usual verbal check - 'does everyone have their seat belts on?' - 'yes!', and started to drive. The bells started ringing and I looked to find that my son (the oldest, of course) had neglected to put his belt on.

I've changed my mind. Adult passengers can be responsible, or decide not to be. Kids are safest in the back, but if there might be an occasional kid in the front, it is probably a very bad idea to disable the alarm. I no longer plan to do this mod.

[Tundradrenalin]

Originally Posted by campertom

At the risk of re-igniting the fury of the naysayers on this mod, I thought I should share a story of a personal change of heart:

I have been planning to do this modification. The first time the alarm went off with grocery bags on the seat was very annoying - especially not knowing what all the beeping was caused by. For my wife and I, putting on seat belts is 100% automatic. We never go without seat belts, and it was only after many trips that I had even heard this alarm (due the the groceries). I pulled over, couldn't find any warning lights (the seatbelt light is hidden next to the passenger temp control). I started to get out the manual and it stopped. It wasn't until the next time it happened that I clued in to the cause.

I was a big fan of this mod until this morning. I don't normally have any kids in the front, but had a car full today and figured it was safe with the airbag sensor (I verified that it was off when my son sat in the seat). I made the usual verbal check - 'does everyone have their seat belts on?' - 'yes!', and started to drive. The bells started ringing and I looked to find that my son (the oldest, of course) had neglected to put his belt on.

I've changed my mind. Adult passengers can be responsible, or decide not to be. Kids are safest in the back, but if there might be an occasional kid in the front, it is probably a very bad idea to disable the alarm. I no longer plan to do this mod.

Great post. This is obviously NOT for everyone. People using their trucks on the farm or something, well, you can see the need/want to get rid of pesky alarms. Your situation on the other hand, probably better to leave the safety features intact.
Thanks for the feedback

[berryma]

If this sensor is removed your air bags WILL NOT deploy properly. At least thats what my dealer says. This chime is really annoying and I would be more than willing to remove the sensor if my safety wouldn't be jeopardized, but I opted to keep the sensor in.....and deal with the annoyance.

[d-lo]

Originally Posted by mxsjw

It's not listed, but yes, they can shut off the driver's side as well...

actually they can not legally. the driver's side seatbelt chime is mandated by federal law at a minimum of 8 seconds. where did you get your info?

[mxsjw]

Originally Posted by d-lo

actually they can not legally. the driver's side seatbelt chime is mandated by federal law at a minimum of 8 seconds. where did you get your info?

Where did I say anything about shutting off the driver's side being "legal".
I just said that on some trucks, they can.
Most of my info comes from this forum.
Thanks for trying, send beer

[d-lo]

Originally Posted by mxsjw

Where did I say anything about shutting off the driver's side being "legal".
I just said that on some trucks, they can.
Most of my info comes from this forum.
Thanks for trying, send beer

sent.

[d-lo]

BTW, my info was bad... it's 4-8 seconds, not 8 seconds minimum.
For those interested in the legal requirement (US) for a driver's side seatbelt audible notification:

TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION

OF TRANSPORTATION

PART 571_FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS

[omitted irrelevant text]

S4.1.2.3.1 Except for convertibles and open-body vehicles, the
vehicle shall--
(a) At each front outboard designated seating position have a seat
belt assembly that conforms to S7.1 and S7.2 of this standard, and a
seat belt warning system that conforms to S7.3.

[omitted irrelevant text]

S7.3 (a) A seat belt assembly provided at the driver's seating
position shall be equipped with a warning system that, at the option of
the manufacturer, either--
(1) Activates a continuous or intermittent audible signal for a
period of not less than 4 seconds and not more than 8 seconds and that
activates a continuous or flashing warning light visible to the driver displaying
the identifying symbol for the seat belt telltale shown in Table 2 of
FMVSS 101 or, at the option of the manufacturer if permitted by FMVSS
101, displaying the words ``Fasten Seat Belts'' or ``Fasten Belts'', for
not less than 60 seconds (beginning when the vehicle ignition switch is
moved to the ``on'' or the ``start'' position) when condition (b) exists
simultaneously with condition (c), or that
(2) Activates, for a period of not less than 4 seconds and not more
than 8 seconds (beginning when the vehicle ignition switch is moved to
the ``on'' or the ``start'' position), a continuous or flashing warning
light visible to the driver, displaying the identifying symbol of the
seat belt telltale shown in Table 2 of FMVSS 101 or, at the option of
the manufacturer if permitted by FMVSS 101, displaying the words
``Fasten Seat Belts'' or ``Fasten Belts'', when condition (b) exists,
and a continuous or intermittent audible signal when condition (b)
exists simultaneously with condition (c).
(b) The vehicle's ignition switch is moved to the ``on'' position or
to the ``start'' position.
(c) The driver's lap belt is not in use, as determined, at the
option of the manufacturer, either by the belt latch mechanism not being
fastened, or by the belt not being extended at least 4 inches from its
stowed position.

[StatCoder]

Wow. That means we are getting 22 to 26 seconds more chime included for free. TOYOTA!

[Heatwave3]

Alright, after reading most of the posts on this thread I am now confused. I removed the spring only on the driver's side. I want the passenger to be reminded to put on the seatbelt and I'm OK with the alarm for the passenger.

I did not use any tape on the driver's side after removing the spring for this belt. The sensor was reinstalled properly and now the alarm does not come on if I leave the belt unbuckled.

Question...does the removal of this spring on the driver's side mean that the driver's air bag will no longer function as designed? Is there any impact on the passenger's airbag with the removal of the spring in the driver's seat belt sensor?

Thank you for providing clarity on this mod. I still have the spring therefore it can be re-installed. My vehicle is a 2008 Platinum Sequoia.

[wleslie]

I admit to not fully following this thread, and this may be a dumb question, but can't we just un-plug the chime? I'm not sure where it is under the dash and what all it may be connected to, but this seems like an easy fix. That way the air bags will still always work. Just a random thought.

[Heatwave3]

Originally Posted by wleslie

I admit to not fully following this thread, and this may be a dumb question, but can't we just un-plug the chime? I'm not sure where it is under the dash and what all it may be connected to, but this seems like an easy fix. That way the air bags will still always work. Just a random thought.

Excellent thought. What if the sensor is just left unplugged from the seat belt clip? Instead of taking the spring out can't the sensor be unplugged and simply left in place to be replugged in at a later time?

[wleslie]

I was thinking more of the part that actually makes the chiming noise. Leave all the sensors pluged in so they are still working, thus the air bag will still work. Just silence the noise maker itself.

[mral1515]

Originally Posted by wleslie

I was thinking more of the part that actually makes the chiming noise. Leave all the sensors pluged in so they are still working, thus the air bag will still work. Just silence the noise maker itself.

It is integrated into the instrument cluster. Good luck.

[wleslie]

Damn! What ever happened to the good old days when you just reached up under the dash and unplugged the offending parts. Oh well, I knew it probably wasn't possible or someone would have mentioned it before now, but since I hadn't seen it mentioned, I thought I'd give it a go and see what happened.

[mral1515]

Originally Posted by wleslie

Damn! What ever happened to the good old days when you just reached up under the dash and unplugged the offending parts. Oh well, I knew it probably wasn't possible or someone would have mentioned it before now, but since I hadn't seen it mentioned, I thought I'd give it a go and see what happened.

You can still do it. It is just kind of difficult to get to, and I think you have to tear up the speaker.